St. Anthony is celebrated in Elbasan/ Strong message of the Metropolitan

2024-01-17 21:42:00, Kulturë CNA

For the Orthodox, the tradition of celebrating the name is an ancient tradition and is associated with the names of saints who shone with virtues in their lives on earth. They imitated Jesus Christ, Saint Mary, apostles and prophets. This is the reason that when Christians are baptized, they receive a saint's name, for example: Vasil, Constantine, Elena, Maria, Gjergji, Sara, Ilia, Andon, etc. etc. names of saints. By celebrating the feasts of these saints, their lives are also remembered and the Orthodox Church encourages its believers to imitate these saints.

Such is Oshnar Andoni the Great, the ascetic known throughout the world from the 3rd century.

He sold all his possessions and distributed the money to the poor. He dedicated himself to God with prayers and prayers. Later he was worthy to receive as a gift from God the gift of healing the body and soul. Comforted many people, corrected many others by his word, but more by his holy life.

His celebration is set by the Orthodox Church on January 17. He is also considered the father of monks.

The celebration of Oshnar Andoni the Great takes on a special color of celebration as it celebrates the name day of the Metropolitan of Elbasan, His Grace Andoni.

His Grace, the Metropolitan of Elbasan, Shpati and Librazhd, Monsignor Andon (Merdani), was born on December 7, 1969, in Tirana.

In the years 1996-1999, he studied at the "Resurrection of Christ" Theological Academy, Saint Vlash, Durrës. In the years 2002-2006, he studied at the Theological Faculty of the National University "Kapodistria" of Athens. He completed his master's studies in the "New Testament" at the "Aristotle" University of Thessaloniki. He graduated at the master's level in the department of "Sociology - Psychology - Communication" of Higher Education "ISSAT", he also graduated from "UBIS" University of Geneva.

He became a monk and was ordained a deacon by His Grace, the Metropolitan of Korça, Joani, in 2000. On November 21, 2002, he was ordained a priest by His Grace, the Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania, Anastasi. On November 21, 2006, he was ordained a bishop, being appointed Bishop of Kruja (titular bishop) and Assistant to the Archbishop and served as Protosingel of the Archbishopric of Tirana.

With the decision of the Holy Synod on the creation of the Metropolitanate of Elbasan, His Grace Andoni was appointed its Metropolitan. His enthronement took place on April 17, 2016 in the Church of Saint Nicholas, Elbasan.

In his sermon at the liturgy held on this occasion in the Church of Saint Nicholas, Elbasan Metropolitan Andon emphasized the caution that we should have from the useless and often useless information that circulates on TV and social media.

"More and more, a generation is emerging that deals with vanity, less interested in reading and more interested in dealing with useless things. We are in another phase as a society..." - Metropolitan of Elbasan Hiresi Andoni expressed his concern in this way.

At the end of the divine liturgy, the clergy and faithful congratulated their Metropolitan Andon on the name day. On this day, those who bear the name: Andoni, Antoni, Antonio, Andonia, Andona, Antoneta, Antonela, Anduen, Anduena, Ndoni, Doni, Dona, Toni, Doke, Neta, Nela, Nia, Ndue, etc. celebrate.

The day of celebration of the name is an ancient and beautiful tradition for Orthodox Christians, because every time we celebrate the lives of the saints, we think of their virtuous lives decorated with kindness, patience, peace, reconciliation, helping each other. , hope in God, faith and above all the virtue of love that we need so much in today's world./ CNA